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retiring RIGHT P E R S Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:
2 / Retirement 101
The 50/20/30 Formula for Budgeting
3 / 2015 Popular Annual Financial Report
A Bright Future Starts Here
7 / Healthful Hints
The Farmers Market
8 / Contact OPERS
Director’s Corner
The Life in Your Years
Joseph A. Fox, Executive Director
As Will Rogers said, “Half our time is spent trying to find
something to do with the time we have rushed through life
trying to save.” It seems we have rushed through another
year and a new year is upon us. There was an abundance of
activity at OPERS in 2015 and much was accomplished. Most
importantly, your retirement system continues to move in the
right direction.
The actuarial funded ratio for OPERS was 93.6% at the end
of fiscal year 2015. The funded ratio has been over 80%
for five straight years, and over 90% for the first time since
1999. The funded ratio represents the percentage of assets
available to cover accrued benefit payments to retirees.
On the liability side, the unfunded liability has dropped
dramatically from $3.3 billion in 2010 to $576 million in
2015. The favorable improvement in these numbers is the
combined result of several factors, including strong investment
returns and OPERS receiving the necessary contributions to
pay for the promised benefits and continue to pay down the
unfunded liability.
The Legislature has done an outstanding job of providing
contributions at levels to keep OPERS on track to a fully
(Continued on page 8)
(Continued on page 7)
Vacation Rental Scams
4 Things to Consider Before Booking
Your Next Trip
According to an OPERS New Retirements survey, 20% of recent
retirees are planning to travel.
Vacation rental stays are on the rise, across all age
demographics. Unfortunately, this presents an increased
opportunity for scammers. Below are a few things to keep in
mind before booking your next trip.
Verify Property Exists
Scammers have been known to use false addresses or to use
addresses of actual buildings that turned out to be warehouses,
offices, or vacant lots. Make use of free tools such as Google
Maps to verify the vacation rental you are considering actually
exists. Use aerial and street-level view functions to verify that
the pictures presented with the vacation rental ad match the
search results. Also, be vigilant for duplicate ads. The property
being for sale, having a non-existent address, or the address
being listed as a business are all red flags.
Scrutinize the Owner
Many owners are members of renters’ associations. You can
contact the association to find out if the owner is in good
standing. Many county assessors’ offices now offer an online
record search. If available, check to see if the owner’s last name
matches the name on property records. Also, avoid owners who
require communication solely by email, as email addresses are
easily falsified. Instead, make phone contact as often as possible.
Tax Season is Upon Us
For more information visit,
www.opers.ok.gov/1099
Retired Member Edition Winter 2016

retiring RIGHT P E R S Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:
2 / Retirement 101
The 50/20/30 Formula for Budgeting
3 / 2015 Popular Annual Financial Report
A Bright Future Starts Here
7 / Healthful Hints
The Farmers Market
8 / Contact OPERS
Director’s Corner
The Life in Your Years
Joseph A. Fox, Executive Director
As Will Rogers said, “Half our time is spent trying to find
something to do with the time we have rushed through life
trying to save.” It seems we have rushed through another
year and a new year is upon us. There was an abundance of
activity at OPERS in 2015 and much was accomplished. Most
importantly, your retirement system continues to move in the
right direction.
The actuarial funded ratio for OPERS was 93.6% at the end
of fiscal year 2015. The funded ratio has been over 80%
for five straight years, and over 90% for the first time since
1999. The funded ratio represents the percentage of assets
available to cover accrued benefit payments to retirees.
On the liability side, the unfunded liability has dropped
dramatically from $3.3 billion in 2010 to $576 million in
2015. The favorable improvement in these numbers is the
combined result of several factors, including strong investment
returns and OPERS receiving the necessary contributions to
pay for the promised benefits and continue to pay down the
unfunded liability.
The Legislature has done an outstanding job of providing
contributions at levels to keep OPERS on track to a fully
(Continued on page 8)
(Continued on page 7)
Vacation Rental Scams
4 Things to Consider Before Booking
Your Next Trip
According to an OPERS New Retirements survey, 20% of recent
retirees are planning to travel.
Vacation rental stays are on the rise, across all age
demographics. Unfortunately, this presents an increased
opportunity for scammers. Below are a few things to keep in
mind before booking your next trip.
Verify Property Exists
Scammers have been known to use false addresses or to use
addresses of actual buildings that turned out to be warehouses,
offices, or vacant lots. Make use of free tools such as Google
Maps to verify the vacation rental you are considering actually
exists. Use aerial and street-level view functions to verify that
the pictures presented with the vacation rental ad match the
search results. Also, be vigilant for duplicate ads. The property
being for sale, having a non-existent address, or the address
being listed as a business are all red flags.
Scrutinize the Owner
Many owners are members of renters’ associations. You can
contact the association to find out if the owner is in good
standing. Many county assessors’ offices now offer an online
record search. If available, check to see if the owner’s last name
matches the name on property records. Also, avoid owners who
require communication solely by email, as email addresses are
easily falsified. Instead, make phone contact as often as possible.
Tax Season is Upon Us
For more information visit,
www.opers.ok.gov/1099
Retired Member Edition Winter 2016